School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Master of Science in Applied Sociology
36 semester credit hours minimum
Faculty
Professors: Richard K. Scotch, Sheryl L. Skaggs
Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Sarah Maxwell
Associate Professor of Insruction: John Malek-Ahmadi
Senior Lecturer: Carol Cirulli Lanham
Objectives
With an emphasis on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and social research skills, the Master of Science degree in Applied Sociology (ASOC) is offered under two different options: (1) the thesis option, which is primarily designed for students continuing on for a PhD in sociology or other social science program; (2) the non-thesis option, which is primarily designed to prepare students for careers in policy analysis, program development and evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. As public, private, and nonprofit organizations attempt to maximize their human and monetary resources, they often seek professionals with specialized skills to assess program demands and viability, evaluate program success, direct change and inform policy. Graduates of the ASOC program are trained to fill such roles and effectively apply their knowledge and skills in employment areas including healthcare, local, state and national government, nonprofit social services, community activism, marketing research, human resources, and business administration.
Although the MS in Applied Sociology is a terminal degree program, a number of our graduates have transitioned into UT Dallas' doctoral program in Public Policy and Political Economy, as well as external sociology doctoral programs throughout the country. Students planning to apply to a doctoral program are strongly encouraged to pursue the master's thesis option. The program is open to full-time and part-time students, with many of our classes offered in the late afternoon and evenings. Students may enter the program in the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Facilities
Students have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University's computer labs. The school has four computing laboratories which have over 24-30 computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including EViews, R, RATS, SPSS and Stata. A computerized geographic information system, the LexisNexis database, and Westlaw are also available for student use. The University's computer labs provide personal computers and UNIX workstations. Many important data and reference materials are also available online via the library's and the school's memberships in numerous organizations.
Admission Requirements
The University's general admission requirements are discussed on the Graduate Admission page. The Master of Science in Applied Sociology (ASOC) seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education. Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students should have earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 point scale) and optimally have a Graduate Records Examination (GRE) verbal score of 156 and a quantitative score of 152. Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Students should also submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining personal background, education, and professional objectives.
Prerequisites
There are no required prerequisite courses in sociology for the Applied Sociology program, although prior coursework in social theory, research methods, and social statistics is desirable. Prospective students with concerns about their preparation for the Applied Sociology program are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator.
Grading Policy
To qualify for graduation, students must have earned a grade of B or better in each of the program's core courses plus an aggregate grade point average of 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the student's degree program at UT Dallas.
Degree Requirements
The University's general degree requirements are discussed on the Graduate Policies and Procedures page.
Students may select the thesis or non-thesis option. The ASOC has three components and requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours.
Thesis Option
Course Requirements
- 15 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS
- 9 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives
- 6 semester credit hours of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) electives
- 6 semester credit hours of thesis research
The master's thesis is supervised by the student's major professor and the thesis committee, chosen in consultation with the major professor. The thesis committee may include a faculty member from another program with the approval of the major professor. Students are advised to consult with the graduate program director in selecting a major professor and thesis committee members. Students must pass a publicly announced defense of the thesis before it is submitted to the Graduate School. A passing grade on the defense is required in order to graduate. The date for the thesis defense should be early enough for required revisions (if any) to be made prior to the Graduate School deadline for submission. The thesis must conform to all Graduate School requirements.
Non-Thesis Option
Course Requirements
- 18 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS)
- 9 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives
- 9 semester credit hours of EPPS electives
The ASOC requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours: 15 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology, 15 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives, and 6 semester credit hours of electives from any graduate program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS).
I. Major Core Courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS: 15 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 18 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)
EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
SOC 6350 Social Stratification
Choose one course from the following:
EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
PA 7330 Research Design in Public Affairs
PPPE 6310 Research Design I
SOC 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance
Choose one course from the following:
EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Orientation
Choose one course from the following:
SOC 6340 Domestic Social Policy
SOC 6312 Social-Economic Theories
Choose one course from the following:
SOC 5V92 Internship in Applied Sociology
SOC 6V92 Research Workshop in Applied Sociology
II. Applied Sociology Guided Elective Courses: 9 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 9 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)
Any graduate-level courses with a SOC prefix outside of the core may be applied to this requirement. Students may apply other graduate social science courses related to Sociology, including an appropriate graduate-level internship, with the permission of the program coordinator.
III. Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) Electives: 6 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 9 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)
Any 5000 or 6000 level courses in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences may be applied to this requirement. Students are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator in order to select courses appropriate for their academic and professional career goals.
IV. Thesis Research (Thesis Option Only): 6 semester credit hours
For further information about the Applied Sociology Program, contact Betsy Albritton (bla014000@utdallas.edu, 972-883-6406), see our web page at https://epps.utdallas.edu/about/programs/sociology, or contact the program coordinator: Dr. Richard K. Scotch (richard.scotch@utdallas.edu, 972-883-2922).